Yes, you can often drive another car on your fully comprehensive insurance policy, but it is typically a very limited benefit. This is not a substitute for your own insurance and comes with significant restrictions. The most common provision is called "Driving Other Cars" (DOC) cover, which usually extends only third-party protection. This means your policy would cover damage you cause to other people's property or injuries, but it would not pay for any repairs to the car you are driving.
The inclusion of DOC coverage is not automatic. Many modern policies, especially those for younger drivers or those with a specific type of policy (like a "black box" policy), explicitly exclude it. You must check your policy documents or contact your insurer directly to confirm if you have this benefit.
Here are the typical conditions you'll likely face:
| Condition | Typical Requirement | Why It Matters |
|---|
| Your Age | Must often be 25 or older. | Insurers see younger drivers as higher risk. |
| The Car's Insurance | The other car must already have its own insurance policy. | Your coverage is secondary, not primary. |
| Permission | You must have the owner's explicit permission to drive it. | Driving without permission is illegal and voids coverage. |
| Business Use | Usually excluded; for social, domestic, and pleasure use only. | You cannot use it for delivery or work-related tasks. |
| Vehicle Type | Often excludes high-value, modified, or commercial vehicles. | Standard private passenger cars are typically the limit. |
The safest approach is to never assume you're covered. Relying on DOC for regular use of a spouse's or partner's car is a bad idea. For frequent use, the car's owner should add you as a named driver on their policy. This provides full coverage for you and is the correct way to handle sharing a vehicle regularly. If you only need to drive a different car temporarily, like a rental, you can usually purchase a short-term DOC extension from your insurer.
